Review Music: Classical | Paul Patterson Viola Concerto | Hampstead Parish Church | Sarah-Jane Bradley | George Vass | Springfest | cadenza

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The Review - CLASSICAL & JAZZ
Published: 21 May 2009

Sarah Jane Bradley

Spring turns to Autumn

REVIEW: PAUL PATTERSON
VIOLA CONCERTO
Hampstead Parish Church

THE first Hampstead and Highgate Autumnfest is to be held in late September/early October. The launch of the new festival was disclosed by George Vass, artistic director of the H&H Springfest.
“Although the Springfest has been pared by the impact of the recession on donations from sponsors, we’ve had record numbers at our performances,” he said. “So we’ve now decided to have another festival in the autumn.
“We’re still at a very early stage in drawing up the programme. But we are planning to involve local schools in a big way.
“It’s not possible for schools to participate in the Springfest as their attentions are all on exams in the spring.
“In the autumn, at the start of the new school year, we hope there will be scope to place schools at the heart of an interesting programme.”
The end of the H&H Springfest was marked by the performance of a new viola concerto by Highgate composer Paul Patterson at a Hampstead Parish Church concert.
Sarah-Jane Bradley, one of the world’s most distinguished viola players, acted as the conduit for Mr Patterson’s music, together with the Springfest Orchestra conducted by George Vass.
The concerto plays to the viola’s strengths by underwhelming the orchestral support.
An opening cadenza shows off what the instrument can do in lower, middle and upper ranges setting the scene for conversations with the orchestra.
The intermezzo is most striking, the orchestral strings playing a pizzicato backdrop to playful viola melodies.
The riveting final movement has the viola showing off again in a short cadenza, demonstrating its beauty and pleading not be silenced.
Indeed, much of the concerto is so entrancing that its brevity leaves the listener wanting more.
Mr Patterson remains productive as ever.
After writing the viola concerto, he has composed a concerto for oboe to be premiered in two months’ time at the International Double-Reed Society’s annual get-together in Birmingham.

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